“If I’m Not A Nurse, Then I’m No One” – Jackie Peyton

This is possibly the best non-Edie Falco scene of the entire Nurse Jackie sixth season.

Jackie’s protégé, nurse Zoey Barkow (Merritt Wever), with extreme reluctance has requested a meeting with their boss, Gloria Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith) who happens to be Jackie’s mentor. Both women are Jackie’s closest friends besides being colleagues, so their conversation topic, Jackie’s probable relapse into a painkiller addiction, is extremely distressing for them both.

This is the stuff of soap operas–or could be–if not placed into the hands of the two strongest supporting players on the the crack Nurse Jackie roster. With Devere-Smith and Wever, both award-winning actors in their own right, you get the fine balance of comedy and tragedy expertly executed. Enjoy the full scene in the embedded video sneak peek, “Water, Please” (below)–and the episode in its entirety, Sunday at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Meanwhile, Jackie sleeps with Eddie. When Jackie gets to work the next morning, Akalitus orders her to submit to drug testing, or admit that she’s using drugs and enter a ‘diversion program’, which involves rehab, probation, and a major pay cut.

Jackie manipulates Eddie for the bazillionth time and though he is now “the wiser” his compulsive enabling behavior stops him from saying "no" to Jackie when he knows he should.

Jackie, ever-defiant, won’t admit a thing. Akalitus tells Jackie if she fails the drug test, she will be stripped of her license and will not be able to practice medicine again.

‘Nurse Jackie’ Episode 6.12 “Flight” Finale (CR: Showtime)

Jackie tries to convince Coop that it was Carrie’s incompetence that almost cost a patient’s life. When Coop confronts Carrie, she takes full responsibility and also tells Coop she’s pregnant with his child.

Desperate now, Jackie confronts Zoey, but Zoey won’t back down. She tells Jackie that she will hand over the damning fake ID photo if Jackie doesn’t go to rehab.

‘Nurse Jackie’ Episode 6.12 “Flight” Finale (CR: Showtime)

Akalitus calls Jackie to take the drug test, and Jackie flees the hospital.

‘Nurse Jackie’ Episode 6.12 “Flight” Finale (CR: Showtime)

‘Nurse Jackie’ Episode 6.12 “Flight” Finale (CR: Showtime)

Jackie stops at Kevin’s apartment to ask her daughters to spend the afternoon with her, but Grace tells Jackie off. Jackie uses drugs and hits the road – with a suitcase full of pills that Eddie gives her. But as she’s rushing to catch a flight out of New York, she sees a car accident. Her nursing instincts take over, and she helps the injured motorist. When paramedics arrive on the scene, Jackie gets back in her car and drives off – right into an ambulance. The pills in her suitcase go flying. Cops point flashlights into her car and see the drugs. And then, they arrest Jackie Peyton.

Teleplay by: Clyde Phillips & Tom Straw

Story by: Abe Sylvia Directed By: Jesse Peretz

Watch more clips from Nurse Jackie on Showtime: http://s.sho.com/nursejackieytplaylist

Shameless, starring Academy Award® nominee William H. Macy and Golden Globe® nominee Emmy Rossum, picks up a few weeks after season three left off – with the Gallaghers braving another brutal Chicago winter and waiting on the medical fate of their flawed, permanently pickled patriarch, Frank (Macy). With Fiona (Rossum) in a stable job and relationship, and Lip (Jeremy Allen White) enrolled in college, can the Gallaghers finally realize the middle class American dream? (Cr: Showtime)

Above: (Jeremy Allen White) as Lip in in Shameless season 4 on Showtime (Cr: Showtime)

Shameless Season 4: Tease - Lip is Shameless VIDEO

Don't miss the Shameless season 4 premiere Sunday, January 12th at 9PM ET/PT.

Above: Jeremy Allen White as Lip in in Shameless season 4 on Showtime (Cr: Showtime)

Above: William H. Macyas Frank in Shameless season 4 on Showtime (Cr: Showtime)

Shameless Season 4: Tease - The Gallaghers Have Issues VIDEO

Above: William H. Macyas Frank in Shameless season 4 on Showtime (Cr: Showtime)

Shameless Season 4: Tease - Frank is Shameless VIDEO

Lip will be going through some major adjustments this season trying to balance his work life, his school life, and his social life—or should we say, lack thereof. Luckily, with Karen out of the country and Mandy off his arm, our smartest Gallagher is finally free to find a girl who is not a complete and total psychopath. SOURCE: EOnline!

ABOVE: Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher and William H. Macy as Frank in Shameless season 4 on Showtime (Cr: Showtime)

Almost three months after America’s “Second 9/11,” alleged Langley bomber Nick Brody remains at large. Saul plots a risky counterstrike on the terrorists connected to the bombing, but his efforts to revive the CIA are threatened when Carrie becomes the focus of a hostile Senate investigation. Humiliated and abandoned by the Marine Corps, the Brody family struggles to cope with Dana’s destructive behavior.

If the folks that survived the Langley bombing in the Homeland season 2 finale seem a bit glum, they certainly have reason.

Despite having been stable on her medication when she made the incredibly bad choice of helping the "alledged Langley bomber" Nick Brody, to escape, Carrie is in worse shape now. She's off her meds., manic and is being grilled by a seriously unfriendly Senate paneal who are intent on bringing all Americans "closure." They want someone to hang and if Carrie doesn't watch her step (and get back on her meds.) she may find her own head in a noose.

Meanwhile, her mentor Saul (Mandy Patinkin), has bigger worries. Two months have passed since the Langley disaster and they are no closer to getting the bombing suspect in hand. Because a large swath of the CIA, both personnel and the structure itself, was blown to smithereens, Saul, as acting head of the CIA, has huge headaches. The possibility of the CIA being dissolved is a real one. Saul is pressured to catch someone with an iffy terrorist counterstrike plan--one that his better judgement tells him is too risky. With hounds at his heels, including Dar Adal (F. Murray Abraham), and the clock ticking down, Saul feels frozen, unable to make a final decision in the matter.

The pressure of his work seems to have carried over to Saul's married life too, with Mira (Sarita Choudhury) having returned to their home but the two sleeping separately.

Things are not much better in the Brody home. Daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) is just now returning home after taking drastic measures in the wake of her father, Nick Brody's (Damian Lewis) confession tape being broadacast for all to see. Her mother seems as self-absorbed as ever though she is present enough to fret about the discontinuation of Lt. Brody's pension in the wake of the Langley bombing. Brody himself is still AWOL.

After Carrrie's poor performance in front of the Senate panel, Saul is forced to explain what he knows. In telling the "whole truth", he resorts to exposing Carrie's mental illness and her affair with Brody. The testimony is broadcast and an angry, betrayed Carrie begins the spiral into a major depressive state.

AND we are excited to announce the launch of the official HOMELAND TUMBLR – a hub where fans can share and find the best Homeland-related GIFs, videos, and artwork. Don't miss the season premiere of HOMELAND, September 29th starting at 9PM ET/PT.

The Morgan siblings have never been more estranged than they are in this episode (8.03 - What's Eating Dexter Morgan?) nor have they ever, as of episode two when Debra kills hitman El Sapo in cold blood, had more in common.

As Deb says, he wasn't her first kill and they way things are going for her, he may well not be the last.

Despite her inner turmoil and self-hatred, Debra is strangely detached about the killing and all signs continue to point to PTSD. And no wonder, after first finding out that Dexter is a killer, then a serial killer, then on top of that, learning that her worshiped dad knew and promoted Dex's style of killing and finally, the cherry on top--having to chose between killing her brother or a woman that fits no ones profile for killing, Maria LaGuerta. Though Laguerta wasn't someone that Deb would consider even a friend, she was a fellow cop and Deb killed her in cold blood. More than knowing that Dexter is a serial killer, Debra is coming unglued because of who she herself believes she has become. It is pretty apparent that Deb is on a self-destruct trajectory--and it is increasing in speed. Silently screaming for help, without someone, somehow, to intervene, Debra is soon either going to wind up in prison or dead.

Question: There are rumors that True Blood is going to kill off the gorgeous and sexy Eric Northam! Please tell me this isn’t true.

Ausiello: I can neither confirm or deny the rumors, but I can offer you two pieces of evidence that suggest such a twist is in the realm of possibility. The first one comes care of Joe Manganiello, who tells TVLine, “We’re getting to the point in the season now where people are starting to die. The table reads are starting to get smaller, and I’m sure they will continue to do that.” Exhibit B, meanwhile, arrives in the form of Episode 7′s title — “The Funeral.”

April 21, 2013

Jennnifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan and Michael C.Hall as her brother, Dexter in the season 7 finale. (Credit: Showtime)

Don't miss the season premiere of Dexter June 30th at 9PM ET/PT.

It seems pretty likely, based on the most recent set photos of the scene and now, finished footage of Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) and Dex (Michael C. Hall) acting out the scene, that the time frame in which it takes place is just weeks after LaGuerta's death. Anyone that thought Deb would keep a stiff upper lip about the LaGuerta mess and soldier on , doesn't know Deb very well--and that probaby includes her brother, Dexter.

It will perplex Dexter how Deb can completely withdraw from him but I think there is the part of his brain that would reason that she needs time to 'get used to the idea' of how repulsive Dexter's behaviour really is. Dexter has beeen calling himself 'a monster' since the first epiosde; it is not 'news' to him.

The Dexter season 7 finale and the season 8 aftermath (Credit: Showtime)

She wasn't handling knowing that Dexter was a serial killer all that well and now, because of her love for her brother she's allowed him to draw her in to his murderous ways--and Debra hates both Dexter and herself but above all, herself for turning into a despicable creature that she does not recognize as the old Debra, who will not ever be able to look at herself in the mirror and just see "Deb," ever again.

Has the murder of Maria LaGuerta by Deb on Dexter's behalf at the end of season 7 started Deb on the path to a place she won't be able to come back from?

To thank you for your love and support over the last seven years, we wanted you, the fans, to be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek at the eighth and final season of DEXTER!

'Dexter' June 30th at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime.

Learn more at http://www.sho.com/dexter

We can confirm that the upcoming eighth season of our groundbreaking series DEXTER® will be its final one. Today’s announcement coincides with the release of an exclusive tease from the premiere of the series’ eighth and final season, which debuts on Sunday June 30th at 9 p.m. ET/PT . The series premiered on October 1, 2006 and has grown its loyal audience every season since its debut. DEXTER was the recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award, as well as 25 Emmy and 10 Golden Globe Award nominations, and was twice named one of AFI’s top ten television series.
“When it debuted in 2006, DEXTER redefined the genre, by taking the anti-hero to new heights and pushing the boundaries of the television landscape,” said Matthew C. Blank, Chairman and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc. “DEXTER paved the way for the next generation of award-winning hit SHOWTIME series, and its cultural impact will be felt for years to come.”
“DEXTER is a landmark franchise for our network, and we cannot wait to unveil the conclusion of this series, as we know it, to the millions of passionate fans who have supported the show season after season,” said David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc. “We’d like to thank Michael, Jennifer, and DEXTER ‘s indomitable cast, executive producers, writers and crew for eight incredible seasons.”
The exclusive tease from DEXTER ‘s eighth and final season premiere gives fans a sneak peek into the mindset of Dexter and Debra Morgan after LaGuerta’s death in season seven.

DEXTER stars Michael C. Hall in his Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning role as Dexter Morgan, a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department. Season eight begins six months after LaGuerta’s murder – and Dexter is still managing life as a dad, brother, and serial killer. As Deb (series star Jennifer Carpenter) struggles to deal with the consequences of her actions, a mysterious woman comes to work with Miami Metro, offering first-hand information on Dexter’s past. The series also stars Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee, Aimee Garcia, David Zayas, Geoff Pierson and James Remar.

The ten-episode season of
TRUE BLOOD kicks off SUNDAY, JUNE 16 at (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). Based
on the popular Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, this
Emmy®-nominated hit drama series was created by Alan Ball, creator of
HBO’s Emmy®-winning series “Six Feet Under.” The show follows waitress
and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s
thoughts, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and vampire Eric Northman
(Alexander Skarsgård).

It was announced previously that True Blood would be scaled back to 10 episodes in season 6 due to the show's stars, husband and wife Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin expanding their household when Paquin gave birth late last summer--and according to Alan Ball, 'economics'.
Given that if renewed, True Blood will be going into it's 7th season in 2014, it may be more financially feasible for HBO to keep the show (like the mega-fantasy hit Game Of Thrones) to just ten episodes per season.

Giving us a broad hint that True Blood has not lost it's sense of humour, Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman appears to be in civilain clothes--a couple sizes too small for him. (Cr: HBO)

TRUE BLOOD Casting Update - Season 6 - Karolina Wydra to Recur

Spending a year married to Gregory House can turn a woman into a real bloodsucker.
Case in point: Karolina Wydra — who played Dominika, the convenient
bride of Hugh Laurie’s titular doc on Fox’s House — is joining True
Blood‘s sixth season as a badass vampire, TVLine has learned
exclusively.

Wydra’s recurring character, Violet, is described as a strong, sexy,
possibly dangerous vamp on par with the Eric Northmans and Bill Comptons
of the world.

Hard to be optimistic about Fiona (Emmy Rossum) and Jimmy's (Justin Chatwin) chances for reconciliation any time before season 4 as this penultimate Sneak Peek VIDEO 3 illustrates pretty profoundly.
I used to wish for them to have a happily ever-after, but truly, Jimmy/Steve is not a good guy.

Throughout season 3 he played the role of devoted partner to Fiona (at least when he wasn't boning his wife, Estefania) and stand-in dad to the Gallagher brood but ultimately, he is a thief, a liar and a cheat. Fiona, despite her horrible upbringing and grim life is a better person than he is. She deserves better so I'm rooting for this relationship to go down in flames.

Steve Howey as Kevin in Shameless Episode 3.11 (Cr: Showtime)

Shameless : Season 3: Episode 11 VIDEO Clip - 'Crazy'

Lip seeks advice from Kevin.

Almost any scene with Steve Howey as 'Kevin' is chuckle-worthy but this one is LOL- funny. His facial expressions are priceless. Great scene!

Despite the many jams the Gallagher kids have found themselves in, this set of 'cascading failures' seems a near-impossible one for Fiona to fix. Faced with losing
Liam, Carl and Debs to the system as well as losing the house due to Frank's (William H. Macy) decade-and-a-half of swindling the government by pretending to be the deceased Aunt Ginger, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) doesn't even have a moment to feel sorry for herself.

As the eldest Gallagher kid, Fiona has to act quickly and to steel herself for the next blow--and they just keep coming.
This story arc (episodes 306 - 308) has some of the heaviest, most heartfelt and splendid "Shameless" writing and performances I've yet seen on a show that has already been lauded many times for these qualities. There's nothing funny about a family being torn apart or losing their home but in true Shameless style, there's alway an undercurrent of humour at just how horrible and seemingly hopeless the situation is.

Meanwhile, life at Sheila (Joan Cusak) and Jody's (Zach McGowan) house is upended after an unexpected knock at the door (and I don't mean Karen returning) and Kev (Steve Howey) and V's (Shanola Hampton) quest for a surrogate pregnancy via her mother takes a turn for the ever-more-twisted.

SHAMELESS 307 – “A Long Way from Home” Episode Description

Knowing that Frank is the real reason DFS is on their case, Fiona
decides to seek sole custody of the kids. She just needs a full-time job
and a house. Fiona and Lip set out to forge Aunt Ginger’s will, and to
find a dead body to go with it.

Still in their respective foster homes, Debbie is forced into slave
labor in Kamala’s basement. Carl fights strict parental controls at
Cassius and Lanier’s. Ian confronts Mickey about Terry.

Frank prepares for his court appearance by getting sober and
attending AA meetings. When he learns of Fiona’s new custody plan, he
challenges her in court to maintain his parental rights. Though she is
forced to share rights with Frank, Fiona is ultimately granted
guardianship leaving Jimmy to wonder what that will mean for their
future.

Timmy Wong and his mother arrive to take Hymie. Sheila stages an
intervention to curb Jody’s sex addiction. Karen returns. And Lip learns
another will has already been filed with the court. (Credit: Showtime)

Though the Gallagher's have spoken not-quite-fondly of their previous encounters with the child welfare system, Shameless episode 3.06 – “Cascading Failures,” is the first time we see them removed and placed in emergency foster care. Unfortunately, Lip and Ian end up in a high risk-prison-like environment and Debs get tossed into an overfull house, where she is expected to keep her head down and stay busy doing childcare and clean-up for the 'lady' of the house. Meanwhile, Carl and baby Liam land in an upscale bi-racial gay couple's home which would be nice--except they are dead set on adopting Liam!

Still of Vanessa Bell Calloway and Steve Howey in Cascading Failures (Cr: Showtime)

In Kevin and Veronica news, this episode brings forth the most outrageous sex scene that you've ever seen them in and if you know Kev and V, you know that means it will be beyond bizarre!

Shameless 3x06 Promo "Cascading Failures" Promo VIDEO

Shameless 3.06 "Cascading Failures" Episode description:

The Department of Family Services hauls the Gallagher children
away, leaving Fiona desperate to get them back. With their mother Monica
nowhere to be found, Fiona is forced to track down Frank and get him to
make a 'Father of the Year' appearance in court. It all seems to be
going well well until Fiona discovers that Frank's not the solution to
her problem - he's the cause. Meanwhile, Kev and Veronica recruit V's
mother as a surrogate and Mandy & Mickey's father, Terry catches
Mickey and Ian in a compromising situation.

... was the question my spouse lobbed my way after last week's episode. With a chuckle I answered, 'Aren't they always?'

The Gallaghers lives continue to spiral into chaos as Debbie gets terrorized at the pool (guess the 90-seconds-holding-her-breath-plan didn't go as planned), Carl (wearing an I Beat Cancer t-shirt) believes he is a cancer survivor, Fiona's locked in the ladies room at work by her co-workers for not performing like they do, the Gallagher's literally have a dead body buried in the back yard (and the city sewer people are on their way to dig). And then there's the small problem of Jimmy's coping with his dad coming out. Just another day for the Gallaghers.

Shameless 3.05 Promo VIDEO "The Sins of My Caretaker"

Episode Desciption - The city of Chicago gives notice that they're doing work on the sewer main. The problem? Aunt Ginger's bones are still buried in the yard and Frank needs to find her before the city does. Meanwhile, Fiona is picked on at work for not satisfying her boss. When Fiona fails to provide the support Jimmy needs, he turns to Este. Molly learns that she's a boy and Ned asks Ian to rob his wife's house.
Source:Showtime

TVG: It
probably doesn't help that the once-suspicious Quinn will be starting a
fling with Dexter's nanny Jamie, since that will put him right back in
the lion's den. Still, "Quinn learned to hold all his cards close to the
vest," showrunner Scott Buck says.

"He knows that he certainly has a lot of information that other
people at the station are not aware of, so what he knows could certainly
come out at an opportune moment." Let's just see if Quinn survives
dating Angel's little sister. "I can't imagine Angel would be too happy
about that," Buck says.

It's time now to make your best guess as to how Dexter season 7 will wrap up.

Last week, after discovering that Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) attempted to murder his sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), Dex (Michael C. Hall) took decisive action after lab results from a water bottle he found in Deb's wrecked car showed the water to be 40% spiked with prescription medication that knocked Deb out while she was at the wheel. Dexter retrieved the poison pen that Hannah used to kill Sal Price, the 'true crime' writer, and turned it over to Deb so she could bring charges against Hannah for his murder. The episode closed on a solemn note with Hannah declaring as they cuffed her that Dex 'should've killed (her)'.

I have to say, I felt greatly relieved as Dexter was behaving entirely as I would think he would given the great closeness he has with Debra. I never questioned that he would 'choose' Deb over Hannah but it wasn't clear until it came to a matter of life and death. Interesting too, how Dex echoed Deb's own words about keeping company with Hannah: "You'll never be safe."

The season would seem to be wrapped up save for one very important detail: Sgt. LaGuerta's (Lauren Velez) dogged determination to clear her former lover, cop, and Dexter nemesis, James Doakes (Erik King) of the moniker of having been the 'Bay Harbor Butcher.' As we saw, she narrowed the possible suspects down to Dexter and despite finding evidence to the contrary which implicated Doakes (and which she correctly suggested Dexter could have planted) and assuring her former boss Tom Matthews (Geoff Pierson) that she would cease and desist,she continues in the season finale at full steam ahead in her efforts to take Dexter down.

How far will she go? Are the promo photos and sneak peeks which indicate that Dexter is arrested real or are they a fantasty or recollection like this is?:

James Doakes (Erik King) appears in the season 7 finale of Dexter on Showtime December 16

And what about Hannah? She knows Dexter's big secret. He must have considered that she would tell the cops what she knows--and that, coupled with what LaGuerta thinks she knows would seem to be all that is needed to seal Dexter's fate.

Finally, what is Debra going to do? As Hannah rightly points our, Debra is being selective in her pursuit of justice by arresting Hannah and but allowing Dexter to remain free? Will Deb's conscience get the better of her and will she free Hannah? This screen shot would seem to imply that something big happens as Hannah is out of shackles and outside Dexter's apartment!

Yvonne Strahovski in Dexter 7.12 (Credit: Showtime)

Update: TVGuide Dexter SPOILER:

Q: Will Hannah turn in Dexter during the DEXTER finale?

A: That will be the big question of the hour. But Michael C. Hall says Dexter may come to regret turning her in for more than one reason.
"I think he was open to a sense of possibility and open to a sense of a
legitimate future in a way that he never has been before and that's not
going to be an easy thing to dismiss," he says. "He believes that
Hannah does love him and will keep his secret. He, if nothing else,
believes she'll do it out of a sense of self-righteousness, that she was
able to keep secrets in a way that he couldn't."

As David Harewood, who plays David Estes in HOMELAND succinctly puts it in the 'Debrief' video extra below, '(Homeland) is a show where you never know what is going to happen next.'

If you saw last week's crazy-great episode you know exactly what he's talking about (and I so agree with him!)

As soon as an episode becomes available I jump right on it. Homeland is literally my very favourite show on television right now.

Homeland : Debrief: New Car Smell (VIDEO):

The cast discuss the climatic ending of episode 4.

I cannot recall the last time a television show--a political thriller at that, literally made me gasp in shock at what transpired onscreen. And I'm not talking the mind-bending capture of Brody at the end of the last episode. Oh no, there is so much more to come and yet as Morena Baccarin ('Jessica') says in the "debrief' video, "You think to yourself, if Brody gets taken down it's the end of the show--but of course, it's not--it sets up episode 5 and we get to see what happens when Brody is taken in and which way he's gonna go.'

So what do you think is going to happen to Brody? Will he cooperate? Will he break? Will the CIA use as brutal tactics as Abu Nazir did when he captured Brody? So many questions!

This Sunday's episode of HOMELAND is called Q & A. Here's the synopsis as well as links to two enticing sneak peeks--or if you prefer, just after the jump I've embedded the sneak peeks right here in this post. Enjoy!

Brody finds himself prisoner again, but this time it’s on American
soil. Meanwhile, Carrie is forced to play second fiddle after her rash
judgment call at the hotel, as Estes is busy sweeping the tracks clean
to keep Jessica off their trail. And Dana’s relationship with Finn is
taken to the next level from fun to deadly serious. (Credit: Showtime)

When a local convict claims he has new information regarding a
fifteen-year-old crime spree, Miami Metro sets out to unearth new
evidence on the case. While Debra attempts to cure Dexter of his killer
tendencies, the Mike Anderson case leads to the Ukrainian mob, and a
vengeful Louis won’t stop meddling with Dexter’s life.

So by now you, me, Dex and Deb have all somehow survived the immediate aftermath of Deb walking in on Dexter in mid-kill. That was one of the most fraught-with-tension moments in all of Dexter, I think. Debra, though severely shaken, managed to keep her wits about her even as the scene before her and how Dexter explained it just wasn't making any logical sense. Any wonder that this is only the beginning of the Dex and Deb dance that will continue for the foreseeable future? Gone is the sometimes bumbling Officer Deb of old, replaced by Lt. Morgan, who has not only justifiably gained confidence in her abilities but now has the power to destroy Dexter's world, a thought that would have never entered her mind prior to her gruesome discovery. She did after all surprise him at the church because she wanted to confess being 'in love' with him. (Sidenote/small SPOILER: Dexter EP's have confirmed that by mid-season Dex and Deb will have had (some permutation of) 'the discussion' that Deb had intended to have with her brother prior to the 'big reveal.'

Dexter however, has not really altered his perception of anything. Within seconds of being discovered and with decades of wearing a facade of a non-sociopath, Dexter snaps into course-correct mode, making excuse after excuse for what Deb is witnessing, many of which seem entirely plausible--unless you are blowing smoke at Deb the bulldog, who is not gonna let go of this bone until she fully wraps her head around it and when she deems that the pieces now fit. Dexter was beginning to think he was getting a handle on the damage control that was mandatory after being caught, literally red-handed, but the very final moments in the premiere episode begged a very different question.

Stayed tuned for episode 2 which is even more mind-blowing that the premiere episode!

Russell (Denis O'Hare) is blasted by the Bon Temps faeries and then staked by Eric.

Luna (Janina Gavankar) shifts into Steve Newlin (Steve McMillian), giving Sam (Sam Trammell) the chance as a housefly to fly into Carolyn Hennesy's chancellor "Rosalyn Harris's" mouth after she drops fang and aims her sights on Luna. From within her fang-baring mouth (ew) Sam shifts into his real form and Rosalyn explodes.

August 27, 2012

Deborah Ann Woll as 'Jessica' in True Blood Season 5, recording her final vlog on her cellphone (CR: HBO)

Pam, quoting 'a friend' of her family's who used to read to her, Alfred Lord Tennyson:

'Love is the only gold.'

Any last words, Pam?

Pam: 'Fuck. The. Authority.'

True Blood Season 5: Jessica's Vlog (Season Finale) VIDEO:

Made while imprisoned in the bowels of the Authority alongside Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten), Jessica records what she fears may be her final vlog.
While doing so, she hears some surprising words of comfort from of all vampires, Pam!

Deborah Ann Woll as 'Jessica' in True Blood Season 5, recording her vlog on her cellphone (CR: HBO)

No one escapes the Dark Passenger. Dexter returns September 30th at 9PM ET/PT.

DEXTER season 7, Episode 1: DEXTER Season 7 premiere. Episode 7.01 - 'Are You ...?' After witnessing her brother kill Travis Marshall, Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) attempts to reconcile with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) while struggling to cover up their involvement with the murder. Meanwhile, Detective Mike Anderson has an unfortunate run-in, Quinn and Batista begin to make amends, and LaGuerta finds evidence that causes her to re-think the closed Bay Harbor Butcher case.

*See? I told you it was mind blowing--and spoiler-y! There is some really effed up stuff going on too, which in the case of a cold-blooded murder of a series regular in the police station must be someone's (Deb's or Dex's) daydream or nightmare. I never considered the possibility that it was real but judging from the comments beneath the video, plenty of Dexter fans do.

Dexter continues to be my favourite Showtime show (though I'm really digging Homeland, too!) and in the top 5 of any television drama I watch so I am definitely popping up a big bowl of popcorn, snuggling up with my honey, and tuning in when it premieres on Sept. 30. (I prefer to watch it as it airs 'live' in my time zone--not DVR it).

Deb and La Guerta aren't the only two people who will be on to Dexter this season. "As we introduce in the pilot, Dexter kills someone who is very important to Ray Stevenson's Isaac, someone who is a significant part of his organization," showrunner Scott Buck says. "That also tees Isaac off to find out what happened to this person, who killed this person and so he's also on to Dexter all throughout this season." Man, Dex just can't catch a break this year, huh?

July 06, 2012

Here we have two sneak peeks from the upcoming episode 5.05 of TRUE BLOOD in which teen vampire 'Jessica' enthuses about the coolness about being a vampire--namely 'immortality,' to baby vamp Tara.

Meanwhile while on the hunt for Russell Edgington, Bill and Eric, who are riding in the back of Alcide's work truck, receive a call from the Authority's tech-geek vampire, 'Molly' (Tina Majorino) informing them that their lives are ticking away by the minute and that the 'i-Stakes' attached over their hearts are set to activate at dawn, rendering them both, despite being cute, to goo.

Episode 8.01'Messy' - Synopsis: Nancy is rushed to the hospital after being shot as the family follows close behind. There, they grapple with the tragedy (and in Doug's case, with some other 'things') and hypothesize on the shooter's identity.

SHOWTIME:'With The Creators 'VIDEO:

Very intriguing video interview with Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan about the broad strokes of what we'll see in season 8, the final season of WEEDS.

Kohan talks about how both the audience and the writers were getting frustrated with Nancy's (Mary-Louise Parker) always escaping from her misdeeds 'scot-free' and that it was almost "MacGuyver-esque" and therefore the character was in danger of not seeming genuine. Kohan goes on to explain why they chose the shooter out of a 'long list' of contenders. Kohan added that the story will circle back in some ways to season one (but we all know you can't ever truly go back, right?). Finally, she explains how episode 1 sets up season 8 to include the big question (IMO): What kind of person will the head-shot Nancy be as she recovers? Kohan also mentions the Botwin boys' very different life pursuits (currently, Shane is in the police academy and Silas is growing and selling weed) and finally, does God exist?

Also, something else to look forward to that Kohan didn't mention: Jennifer Jason Leigh (who I adore) as Nancy's sister Jill, will be making frequent appearances. Sounds like there is plenty of material to cover this last season! I'm hoping too that the rabbi who makes an appearance in this episode returns as well as a love interest for Nancy. (That may or may not have been 'set-up' in this episode.)

Dexter's new teaser trailer gives us an initial idea of Debra Morgan's reaction to meeting her brother's Dark Passenger for the very first time.

"Jesus, Dexter!" she blurts. He responds in a level tone,"Deb, it's me."

"Get away from the body," Deb answers, gun trained squarely on Dexter, almost as if by muscle memory.

Truth Brings Light (Dexter Spot) SCREENCAPS::

DEXTER returns Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9/8c on Showtime for it's seventh (and 2nd to last) season, picking up right where it left off.

TVGuide.com talked to DEXTER executive producer Sara Colleton to get the scoop on season 7:

The last we saw of Dexter (Michael C. Hall) in Season 6, he had finally delivered his own biblical form of vengeance upon Travis (Colin Hanks)... in the closing moments of the finale. Unfortunately, Dexter wasn't alone in that church, with Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) planning to profess her love to her brother before walking in on him moments before driving a knife into Travis.

Clearly, Deb's reaction will be Dexter's greatest obstacle this season as he's faced with someone finally taking off his mask. But his sister isn't the only person Dexter will have to worry about when evidence at the church suggests the Bay Harbor Butcher is back. Considering Dexter framed Sgt. Doakes (Erik King) for that, even Debra may not be able to protect him.

TVGuide: If last season was about finding faith for Dexter, what is this season about?

Colleton: It is about things he's never experienced before, which are regret, responsibility, shame, betrayal, all of those things...

TVGuide: Deb only saw Dexter kill Travis on the table, but will she learn everything this season?

Colleton: Yeah...She was on her way to the church at the end of the last season because ... she not only loved her foster brother Dexter, but she is in love with him. So now what does she do? ...Dexter was always elusive and Debra always thought it was because of her, and now she knows it wasn't about her, it was about him really protecting her.

As the head Miami Metro homicide division... it has to really affect her sense of justice...and Dexter, of course, his world is equally rocked. He's never had to deal with these kinds of emotions — regret, guilt, a sense of having let Deb down and also, obviously, the gnawing suspicion that at any time, she could have him arrested.

TVGuide: Given what Deb learns about Dexter, how will that change her sudden revelation that she has feelings for him?

Colleton: It has to explored but obviously what she learns is going to affect it... so all of the things that have been the bedrock of Deb's life get moved around..

TVGuide: Will we see a vulnerable side to Dexter this season?

Colleton: Oh, yes. It is like Superman's cape has been taken off. He's extremely vulnerable and that is very interesting to see and to explore.

TVGuide: Speaking of Harry (James Remar)... how will his advice to Dexter differ from what we've seen before?

Sara Colleton: It's very upsetting to Harry. Deb realizes now, too, that this was never her being 'Daddy's second best'. She will learn all about Harry training Dexter and that is another thing that is going to rock her world...

TVGuide: What other obstacles will Dexter face because of Deb's discovery?

Sara Colleton:There are other complications that will come in because, at the crime scene, Dexter's blood slide is discovered by Lieutenant LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) because he loses it in the chaos that ensues and she immediately recognizes it's his.

The only other time that she had seen this blood slide was in the copy case of the Bay Harbor Butcher. Sergeant Doakes, her ex-lover and dear friend (everyone) thought he was the Bay Harbor Butcher, and thought that when he died, the Bay Harbor Butcher died with him.

Now, she begins to suspect, "Is the Bay Harbor Butcher still alive and how can I set about proving ..Doake's innocence?" ... that's a silent thing at the start, but it's... going to eventually work its way back to Dexter.

Ray Stevenson plays Issac, the head of a crime syndicate who owns many nightclubs in Miami.. He comes to Miami when his very close personal lieutenant is accused of killing a Miami cop and then suddenly disappears...This is going to be a long story arc.

Jason Gedrick plays George, the U.S. manager of all of his clubs.

Yvonne Strahovski plays 'Hannah', (a woman) who took off from this small Florida town with an older guy and then went on this wild killing spree. When they got caught, she turned state's evidence on him, he went to jail for life. and she started a new life. Years later she's in her 30s, has started a new life and then she meets Dexter... Hannah is a still water that runs very deep... and is quite unlike any woman Dexter has ever known...Hannah has a cool aloofness, but there's something about her that will intrigue him.

Do you have scoop for Louis Greene him on Dexter?A: The creeper who sent Dexter the hand from the Ice Truck Killer case will be back! "We realized that Louis has a whole darker side and people who become fans can turn into dangerous stalkers in the blink of the eye. That's what Louis has turned into," Colleton tells us. "[Dexter will] discover the Ice Truck Killer hand — he has no idea it's in his home — and what the writing on the palm of it means."

Make sure you click through and read all the TVGuide articles in their entirety. I culled info and mostly rewrote the excerpts except actual quotes of course, but there is a lot of material to cover at this huge, huge juncture in the Dexter-verse.

Another thing I recommend and am starting for myself beginning tomorrow night, is to re-watch Dexter, starting from Season 1 episode 1. I realized that in this 7-year period I've watched many of the episodes only one time and I've forgotten many details that based on what I'm reading now, I am going ot want to be fresh about. Plus, I'd like to go back and study the evolution of the Dex and Deb relationship more closely. Besides the serial killer aspect, the Dex and Deb dynamic has been the most compelling for me to watch. I'd come to DEXTER as a Michael C. Hall fan but I'd not seen Jennifer Carpenter's work prior to Dexter. In the last few years her portrayal of Debra has gotten really quite outstanding. Truly, Carpenter has really grown as an actor right before our eyes. You should join me. It'll be fun!

June 27, 2012

Go ahead, I need a few moments to compose myself and post the biggest spoiler photos yet of WHO GETS SHOT and HOW BADLY THEY ARE HURT. It's pretty mind-blowing and I'm not being punny.

As you recall, we literally closed out last season of WEEDS with a BANG! and cut to black. Though it appeared that the gunman, who despite what Internet rumours said, was NOT easy to distinguish unless you knew what the actor looked like NOW, took aim at Nancy. We did not know if she got hit and if anyone else was injured or killed. We were literally left in the dark.

I'm going to post a few MAJOR photo spoilers now so do not continue if you do not want to know!

Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin in WEEDS Episode 8.01

Episode 8.01 was top-notch. Scary, heartrending, funny and more funny and sad. I admit, I teared up.

It is now eight years that we've watched the Botwin family's triumphs and travails and in that time we've grown quite attached to them.The actors themselves seem so natural together, I'm sure I'm going to shed some more tears before this new and last ever season concludes. There will, to be sure, many laughs too. I hope you'll tune in and you'll stop back at Forever A Fangirl soon and watch along with me!

June 26, 2012

Well, this screencap from the brand new WEEDS video clip below sure does tell a story. Even though we knew from the many heavy hints dropped by Weeds and by the outright spoilers laid out by reviewers, we were not 100% sure that someone else didn't take the bullet meant for Nancy. But the drying pool of blood is exactly where she would have fallen as she raised her glass of wine to toast the family being all together and 'not killing one another.' Despite the preparation, it is still a chilling image.

Gosh, Uncle Andy (Justin Kirk) looks so sad. Rarely do we see him like this, completely morose.

Given that they were eating when the shooting happened, this must be some time (as in many hours) later.

Regardless, a nice man stops by Andy's table and asks may he sit, Andy says yes, and the guy engages him in conversation. Very shortly thereafter we begin to see Andy recovering a bit of the perpetual sparkle in his eye. He's not swinging from the rafters, but clearly, a few kind words go a long way.

'Tapioca'

Andy befriends a Rabbi in the hospital cafeteria.

Here's Andy as he converses with the Rabbi...about the merits of tapioca pudding in a hospital setting:

No one can out-do Justin Kirk at pulling faces!

Official WEEDS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Weedsonshowtime Official WEEDS Twitter: http://twitter.com/SHO_weeds Official WEEDS Series Site: http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/

June 24, 2012

Though for the past six seasons we've loyally watched 'DEXTER,' a stellar Showtime offering about a serial killer who only kills 'bad people,' we all knew that we were also tuning in to see the 'Dexter and Deb' show. The adopted children of Harry Morgan behaved as blood siblings, closer it seemed at times, despite Dexter's horrific secret with his serial killer dual life always just barely out of Deb's sight-line.

Dexter (Michael C. Hall) pondered again and again how Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) might react were she ever to discover what her big brother was doing during his many seemingly off-the face-of-the-earth disappearances and then just as suddenly, his dropping back into their lives as if he'd never stepped out.

But as the audience has known all along, Dex was duping Deb. Finally, we saw in the season 6 cliff-hangar finale, Deb has now literally caught Dexter red-handed committing a murder. Where will they go from here? Is there any 'going' anywhere from here? Debra has, over the years, expressed frustration to both Dexter and her therapist that as much as she loves and leans on Dexter, she's not sure that he feels the same towards her, that perhaps (to paraphrase) he's keeping part of himself closed off, inaccessible to her which really pains her. Now they are at the rip-the-lid-off-the-box-of-secrets-Dexter's-harbouring-moment. All of it is hers to know. Will she, though, want to face this horrible reality? Dexter's up for it--up for anything, one would think, to bring Deb back down to the new reality. But what will all this entail--how will it even be possible with both of them headed into the lion's den (Miami Metro) each day bearing this huge reveal? Stay tuned, starting September 30th on Showtime!

Truth Brings Light (Dexter & Deb Spot) VIDEO:

Michael C. Hall as DEXTER - returns in Sept 30 on Showtime

The first (real) teaser for the seventh season of Dexter asked whether Debra will accept Dex following her grim discovery, but this first poster for the upcoming season focuses squarely on the serial killer. Originally posted: http://seriable.com/dexter-first-season-7-poster

Showtime has unveiled a great new spot for the upcoming seventh season of Dexter, centering on theme of truth and acceptance in the wake of last season’s dramatic cliffhanger. The new spot features images of Dexter and Debra reflecting the different shades that comprise their relationship and Dexter’s acceptance of who he is.

Dexter narrates the piece.

Dex: “They say truth brings light. It’s the lies that live in darkness. But here we are, in the moment of truth.

He continues: “Everything in my life has brought me to this point. It’s what I am. It’s all I am. I can accept that. ..But can she?

Since Dexter is currently shooting season 7, there's every reason to expect more goodies-sharing (please and thank you).

The Botwins are back for a whole new season and this year there is no escaping their past. Get a behind the scenes look at the new season.

AUSIELLO SPOILER!

Q: I just watched all seven seasons of Weeds in 11 days and now I’m desperate for anything you can dig up on the eighth and final season!

Weeds Season 8 - Hunter Parrish as "Silas'

A: Seven seasons in 11 days? Are you high?! (The classics never go out of style.) Nancy spends much of the July 1 opener fighting for her life in the wake of that cliffhanger shooting, leaving her friends and family to grieve in their own special way — two of ‘em have sex in her hospital room while she’s unconscious and a third feels her up (also while she’s unconscious).

May 18, 2012

Love the shot of Tyrion's sellsword, 'Bronn' fighting in the Battle of Blackwater' :

Jerome Flynn is exactly as I would have pictured the character from reading the books and he certainly acts the part. I'm going on record as wanting Bronn's fate in the Battle of Blackwater be exactly like that of the book. It worked very well there and will here as well. Seriously. It's a very bloody battle.

GAME OF THRONES' penultimate Battle of the Blackwater episode is just a little over a week away and HBO has just released the first image from the game and life-changing bloody battle.

Here’s Bronn (Jerome Flynn) taking aim on a cliff, with what appears to be part of Blackwater Bay and King’s Landing behind him FYI 'Blackwater' will take place at night as, executive producer David Benioff stated, “Flaming arrows at night look gorgeous.”

'As much as I like the idea of Dexter, the collateral damage he causes due to his code deviations are too high. I guess it could be attributed to human error, but is it worth the loss of innocent life?

Kills shown in chronological order.

The kill count of each of Dexter's victims is the minimum amount known, there's definitely a lot more deaths that he has avenged.'

"The explosively popular DEXTER® is back with a vengeance for a sixth season of startling suspense and unexpected twists. It's been a year since last season's shocking and heartbreaking conclusion, and mild mannered criminologist-cum-grisly serial killer Dexter Morgan has come to terms with who he is. But his existence is shattered when he crosses paths with an enemy unlike any he's faced before. A delusional religious zealot with unflinching convictions, this new adversary soon draws Dexter into a dangerous game that could well end in disaster."

August 04, 2011

Brit Morgan as were 'Debbie Pelt'. I'm really surprised she is not shifting and showing big fangs at this moment as the subject is her husband, 'Alcide's' obsession with "Sookie."

True Blood Season 4, Episode 7 - 'Cold Gray light Of Dawn':

Original Air Date—7 August 2011 With Marnie empowered by spirits of the dead, Bill issues an unpopular order to save vampires from the light. Eric embraces his amnesia; Luna discovers Sam is not the man she thought he was; Lafayette expands his consciousness; Pam gets a body peel; Andy's date with Holly doesn't go as planned; Jessica has doubts about her future with Hoyt; Alcide and Debbie join a new pack.

From the looks of the promo for True Blood Episode 4.06 "Cold Gray Light Of Dawn,' the vampires are going to take a real beating--and that is if they are lucky!

Throughout the clip we see vamps in silver, vampires with the bleeds (due to extended periods of awake-ness) and vampires either attempting to go into the full sun or actually blazing away in it.

The burned-at-the- stake-witch, 'Antonia' has taken possession of Marnie's (Fiona Shaw) body and she, in her words, is seeking 'vengeance.'

It's pretty clear that vampire King Bill of Louisiana's (Stephen Moyer) solution to stopping the vampires from being compelled by the witches to walk in the "light of dawn' is to order them to SPOILER/speculation chain themselves in silver. Pretty harsh but Bill is obviously out of other options--and things only look to get worse in the coming weeks. Can't wait-- because it looks fangtastic!

Alcide is stoking the flames of jealousy in Debbie with his obsessing over Sookie. Even off 'V' (vampire juice to which she was addicted), Debbie is a loose cannon and he knows that. He needs to 'wolf up' and either follow his heart or put thoughts of Sookie on the shelf...because there's a bad moon rising if he does not.

True Blood Season 4: Jason Counsels Hoyt (HBO)

Hoyt has been Jason's best friend forever. Arguably, he is smarter that 'Jay' (isn't most of Bon Temps?) so how is he NOT going to see that Jason's innocent act is just that? (SPOILER) The promo shows a shirtless Jason being knocked around. I think buddy Hoyt has had just above enough--of everything-- and Jason's prevarication regarding Jessica is the last straw.

July 20, 2011

Weeds fans are speculating that in this episode, Nancy & Silas seek out Heylia who with Conrad, taught Nancy the ropes when Nancy first started dealing 'weed' back in her bucolic-seeming Agrestic days. Things literally went up in flames and Nancy beat a hasty retreat from what was left of Agrestic so it's quite a mystery as to how, if she indeed is seeking Heylia out, Heylia will react to Nancy showing up on her doorstep.

Weeds: 'Character Witness'

Nancy asks Silas to be her character witness in the custody hearing.

A couple of observations about Weeds: Season 6 thus far. The show has again radically changed it's tone and along with it Nancy's sons Silas and Shane, from whom she been seperated by both an ocean and 3 years behind bars.

Shane initially presented as the Shane of old but he's catching on quickly that his mom has not been 'reformed' as he previously optimistically/naively put it, by her three-year stint in the pokey and further, she is rebuffing every loving gesture he puts forth.

Just prior to Nancy's arrest, elder brother Silas found out that his mother had deceived him about his parentage--Juda Botwin was NOT his real dad. Silas, who was able to support himself quite nicely as a model while in exile seems to relish seeing his mother at the mercy of the prison system, which has seen fit to transfer Nancy to a halfway house to serve out the rest of her sentence. Since everyone's face time with Nancy is quite constrained by her circumstances, most of the family interactions are fraught with tension. True, this is nothing new for Weeds but there's been a significant shift in the family dynamic from Nancy's bumbling through and the family following almost lock-step, to a splintering among them which seems to get more painful with each interaction with the utterly unreformed Nancy.

Next on Episode 5: Nancy travels to California for a court hearing.

Weeds Season 6 Episode 5 : 'Fingers Only Meat Banquet':

With help from her lawyer and Silas, Nancy returns to California to continue her custody battle against Jill; Andy's relationship takes a bizarre turn; Shane gives college a try by enrolling in classes; back on Wall Street, Doug makes do without Nancy.

I can't even believe how fast the season 4 premiere of True Blood has come! (pause) Kidding!

True Blood Fans have endured the sucking, waiting since August 2010 for a fresh full-length episode of True Blood to savour. But here we are, teetering on the very brink of the Sunday, June 26 9pm E HBO offering of a brand new episode and (if you signed up for HBOGo) the second episode shortly thereafter! It should pack one helluva one-two punch in the space of 24-hours or so and with any luck, the sky-high ratings will shake up 'talks' between the most brilliant Alan Ball and the 'one true premium cable network,'HBO, so that our man remains on board with the show for season 5.

I'll have more on that later--in the next couple of days--but if you have not read it before be aware this could be Alan Ball'slast season at the helm of True Blood! (again, quote attribution from the source--Ball himself) a bit later. I have both a spousal birthday and other deadlines that must be attended to ASAP!

OK. Here we go with the fishing contest in the pool full of Spoiler-ish/ True Spoilers material that Source: TVGuide has unleashed upon us! 'EDIT's are MINE!

"True Blood has brought witches, werewolves and vampires to life over the last three seasons, but everything you think you know about the supernatural beings will be upended this season.

"Everything you thought you can count on, you can't," executive producer Alan Ball says. "Vampires are not stronger than certain humans, shapeshifters can do things other than shift and there are ghosts."

Here are 10 things we TVGuide knows do know about what's coming up, straight from the cast of True Blood:

1. It's all about the witches (EDIT: Duh!): A band of witches tap into a new form of power, causing Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) to lose his memory. At the head of the coven is Marnie (Fiona Shaw), a (formerly mild-mannered, now possessed by a 1700's) vengeful witch coming into her powers and out for revenge. Unfortunately Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) will be dragged into the increasing vampire vs. witch tension. "Lafayette loves his boyfriend, [Jesus, a practicing brujo], so he's trying to deal with [magic] in stride, but it keeps sucking him in and he doesn't know what's going on," Ellis says.

"He discovers who he is in the middle of all this stuff."

SPOILER: You knew already that Lafayette is a witch, right? There have been no clues or anything. (snicker)

2. Sookie, independent woman: After discovering that Bill (Stephen Moyer) was working for (his) Queen Sophie-Anne, to gain information on her, Sookie is "learning to stand on her own," Anna Paquinsays. "At the end of last season, she was at a point where she was willing to walk away from everyone and everything, particularly those troublesome boys. It's not that she doesn't want or need anyone, she just isn't dependant anymore." That's OK for Bill, though. "Bachelorhood kind of turns out all right for Bill," Moyer says. "He's decided to enjoy it while he can."

3. Vampires in trouble: Eric's unfortunate run-in with the witches will send his lieutenant, Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten), into a downward spiral, which is bad timing in the current vampire climate. "The post-Russell Edginton world is hard for Pam," Bauer says. "It's a political environment this year, so she's supposed to be doing what the other vampires are doing — holding babies and shaking hands — but she's incapable. So we see her cause some trouble."

Pam in a downward spiral? Our vicious, beautiful, font-of-sarcastic quips Pam?! Progeny of Eric Northman, Pam? I have not been privileged as the Almighty (j/k)TVGuide to get the first three episodes of season 3 to watch but if Pammy wasn't 'downward spiralling last season when she thought Eric Dead for Sure (I suggest this as the final title in the SookieStackhouse series) and after she'd been horribly tortured by the Magister, I don't believe she's gonna 'spiral downward' in the human sense. She may act out. And when vampires act out...look out!

4. Tara returns as a new woman (EDIT/ Sorry: snooze): After getting out of Dodge in the season finale, Tara (Rutina Wesley) will return to Bon Temps hoping to turn over a new leaf, but will immediately find herself in a mess of trouble. "She gets swept back into the world of vampires so quickly," Rutina says. "She doesn't want it, but she has no choice." Fortunately, there may be hope for her yet. "If there was to be love for Tara, I think she's ready for it because I think she's learned to love herself and has opened up in a way."

Holy double-entendre, Batman! As my favourite source, "Spoiler TV" put it, (a character) is 'turning gay.' True Blood could step on a landmine with this one but I'm going to assume, given the open-mindedness in portrayal on the show of the sexual preference spectrum that this will not feel forced or cliche.

My one concern as far as I can care about the character of Tara and TBH, I don't really (but I do care about the True Blood narrative) is that in three seasons she has shown no hint at all in being attracted to women. Also, she's not particularly at an age (late 20's) where one discovers this. On top of all that she's been written as having a not-so-secret crush on Sookie's brother, Jason for most of her life. Maybe 'turning gay' is the right term but oh, they'd best be careful in making this seem, as they like to say, 'organic.'

5. Shifty shapeshifters: The days of Sam (Sam Trammell) turning into a dog or bird are child's play compared to what he'll do this season. "My character explains the full-range of capabilities that shapeshifters have, and a lot of people that she's talking to at the time don't even know some of that," says Janina Gavankar, who'll be a love interest, 'Luna,' for Sam this season. "There's a really dark side to shapeshifters as well and that's something we'll explore this year. There's potential wrongdoings that can happen."

6. Jessica, domesticated? Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Hoyt (Jim Parrack) will make a go of living together, but a human and a vampire cohabitating isn't going to be easy. "Jessica is a vampire and I'm not quite sure that domestic life is really what she's in for or what she desires," Woll says. "She's still gotta figure that out because they moved into this very quickly." Helping her navigate this life is Pam, who acts as a "big bad" older sister, says Bauer. "Pam is a very different kind of mentor for Jess than Bill is," Woll adds. "The things you might not want to tell your dad, you may tell your cool aunt."

7. Jason's growing up: Once the older slacker brother of Sookie, Jason (Ryan Kwanten) has now stepped into a role of responsibility that will get him into even more trouble. "This is the season of the biggest growth for Jason, where the young boy turns into a man," Kwanten says. "He's forced to try and raise a tribe of people and eventually fight for his life."

8. PD's into V: The end of last season teased impending trouble for Andy (Chris Bauer) when it comes to V, otherwise known as vampire blood, an addictive drug that can ruin your life (See: Jason Stakchouse, Debbie Pelt and the rest of the werewolves from Season 3). "It's like old demons, new problems," Bauer says of Season 4 for Andy.

"At first V does a lot of good. He had that cast on forever, but after a couple of drops, all of a sudden he's ready to box. He's a guy who we know has issues with substance, and he keeps saying he's done, but he's not done."

I love Chris Bauer so I'm hoping that the 'V' that he gets into (he's a semi-recovering alcoholic) gives him many juicy scenes in S4! (Get the pun? Wasn't even on purpose!)

Arlene and Terry tackle parenthood: As if Arlene (Carrie Preston) could ever be the voice of reason, she's especially on edge this season. "I wouldn't be playing Arlene correctly if I wasn't playing her fully, fully stressed out," Preston says. "When you're talking about a child or potential child, and you're talking about it having a father that was a serial killer, in Arlene's mind, she's absolutely justified in freaking out. Luckily, Arlene has found Terry [Todd Lowe], who will put up with all her insecurities." On a possibility related note, Preston adds, "Arlene is going to come face-to-face with something that we haven't even seen on the show yet." (EDIT/ Common-sense?)

10. Debbie's back, baby: Alcide's psychopathic, V-addicted ex-girlfriend, Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), will return this season with a new prerogative. "You're going to get to see a different side of Debbie," Morgan says, adding that Debbie will attempt to make amends with Sookie and find some normalcy. But the werewolf in her isn't gone. "You're going to get to see cool things with some of the wolves that you didn't get to see last season," she says."

March 29, 2011

Father Frank: John Wells Executive Producer John Wells discusses the season one finale of Shameless.

One of the crucial aspects of a TV show isn't just how you react to it while you are watching, but what you think of each episode upon its conclusion. I found Showtime's new series, Shameless, which just finished a 12-episode first season, very conducive to some lively discussion afterward. My spouse and I watched the show at home in real (Chicago) time, taking our dogs for their nightly walk as soon as it was over. Our neighbourhood, though only 25 or 30 miles from the Gallagher's, may as well be 3000 miles away. Even so, this fictional family, first introduced on British television (with a British cast) has issues that most any family can relate to on some level. Nothing about the Gallagher's seems truly foreign, as loyalty and love of family are something (hopefully) everyone knows and understands. And so love of family and sacrifice for them amidst rather dire circumstances, despite all the far-out situations in Shameless, is the show's core theme, some aspect of which my spouse and I came 'round to discussing frequently.

Another commonality that non-TV families have with the Gallaghers is what we like to call 'dysfunction.' Essentially, a 'dysfunctional family' is one whose behaviour deviates from normal families--whatever they are.

Some folks say there is no such thing as a 'normal family' and the older I get, the more I think the saying, 'We are all dysfunctional in our own way,' is on the money. It's really about how we cope with the dysfunction, don't you think?

Episode 12 of Shameless, 'Father Frank, Full of Grace' was about coping with the fallout of some highly dysfunctional circumstances that impacted every family member as well as those involved with the Gallaghers (rock-steady neighbours 'Vi' (Shanola Hampton) and 'Kev' (Steve Howey) excepted--they literally played supporting roles in this episode).

In the video I've included (above) showrunner John Wells discusses two of the main dysfunctional aspects of the Gallaghers in this episode.

The foundation of the show, perpetually drunk father 'Frank Gallagher' (William H. Macy) has lived with 'accidental' girlfriend, 'Sheila' (Joan Cusak) for most of the season. Her situation includes having debilitating agoraphobia and anxiety, an almost ex-husband (Joel Murray) living in her basement, and a very sexually active older-teen daughter who is dating the eldest Gallagher son, 'Lip' (Jeremy Allen White).

Daughter 'Karen' (Laura Slade Wiggins), and her father, who she once referred to as 'f*ck-face,' causing me to forget his character's real name, have a very strained relationship due to 1. her furious sexual activity and 2. his outrage about her behaviour coupled with his lack of a filter when he shares his opinion about it. Most commonly, Karen's dad calls her a slut. He's managed, by this episode, to have called her a slut in front of a roomful of people as they were supposedly 'making up,' sending her into a tailspin of self-destruction while seeking revenge against him.

January 09, 2011

In the video embedded in this post (above), William H. Macy, in describing the show, opines that: 'there is nothing else like (Shameless) on TV.'

I agree with Macy completely. It's rare when you watch a new show and after just one episode ('Pilot') you know you love it and can't wait to watch more. But it's totally like that with 'Shameless.'

Emmy Rossum-- OMG. She knocks it out of the park as eldest daughter, Fiona. Love her. And Joan Cusak (Sheila) is so perfectly cast, too! This is a role that must be fun for her to play 'cos she's so delishishly fun to watch, especially in her scenes with Bill Macy (Frank Gallagher). The kids are really great, too, as is Justin Chatwin as Rossum's new love interest, 'Steve.'

I love William H. Macy. He has such integrity (see video)! I 'extra like' him because he is I believe, an 'actor's actor,' who directs and writes and act and acts and acts(!) He's just a gifted man in a number of areas--I so enjoy his work-- and I am glad he's landed, for a least a while,* at premium cabler Showtime.

*Meaning the season is short like 'series' are in the UK. I hope it runs forever. :)

(I'm also blown away that William H. Macy originated one of the roles in a David Mamet play that did so to great acclaim, 'American Buffalo.' Macy & Mamet have collaborated otherwise as well which endears him to me further. Plus, I loved ER back in the day of Julianna Margulies and George Clooney when Bill Macy had a recurring role as chief of (everything?) 'Dr. Morgenstern.'. If none of these fine moments in the career of William H. Macy ring a bell, how 'bout in the film in which he co-starred, Fargo, 'as 'Jerry Lundergaard?'

I thought Jessica's minisode quite clever. I'm really enjoying Alan Ball's story-telling. He is just so good with a turn of a phrase like "dirty whore" repeated about 10 times in 2 minutes by the "moralistic stranger" in this clip is one example but I liked even more when Jessica stood up for herself (though after glamouring the old coot), was when she admonished him to be grateful that he did not have to "tear people open for food." Cut straight to the heart (no pun) of this conversation and the extended one too, about the morality--or lack of it in vampires. Also, this scene really seems like it came just prior to Jessica fanging that trucker at the end of season 2 after things had gone horribly wrong at Hoyt's house, resulting in Jessica fanging Mrs. Foytenberry who was under Maryann's spell and acting uber-annoying.

True Blood S01E10 "I Don't Wanna Know" Sentencing Clip:

When Bill Made Jessica a Vampire 'To Love Is to Bury.' (Season One) Bill fulfills the conditions of his sentence, although Jessica doesn't turn (out) as expected.

Jessica's being made a vampire as Bill's punishment for killing bartender "Longshadow" just prior to Longshadow snapping Sookie's neck. It's against vampire law to kill another vampire for the reason Bill did so Jessica was brought to him. You can get the details in the videos above.

July 19, 2009

...when you have a classic True Blood scene from season 2 to remember fondly.

Love the range of emotions 'Jessica' (Deborah Ann Woll) especially, goes through. Mortification, anger and incredulity. Embarrassment, relief and puppy love eyes when Hoyt (Jim Parrack) says he believes Jessica, not Bill (Stephen Moyer). Indignation and anger, when she tells Bill off first for turning her and feeling "like shit" for it--an insightful call for a 17-y.o.--then for not being fair by assuming she was "hunting" Hoyt, when she was having her very first kiss, and then embarrassment again when she complains to Bill that she did not know that her fangs came out when she got turned on. Nicely played by Deborah Ann Woll. Of course we have the ever-lovely Anna Paquin in her classic Fangtasia shirt, too. A win all 'round!

May 12, 2009

There seems to an an avalanche of LOST previews and sneak peeks being released and/or leaked in the last day or so. Most of them have much blood, shooting, and explosions.

Today's find by The ODI was a little bit different in that in wandered full on into 'shipper territory. Without rehashing the past 5 seasons too much, there's been a triangle of the girl, Kate (Eve Lilly) and two very different-yet-equally-baggage-laden boys. Jack (Matt Fox) is a surgeon, a pillhead, a heavy drinker and his emotional stability at any given time is questionable as well as his adherence to the Hippocratic Oath.

James "Sawyer" LaFleur (Josh Holloway) is a con man, a murderer, and a serial liar. For Kate's part she too, is a murderer and a thief and like almost every other LOSTIE, has daddy issues.

After a couple of years* of Kate ping-ponging back and forth between Jack and Sawyer, Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) was introduced. At the time, she was an Other--a bad guy--but she turned pretty quickly after realizing that the LOSTIES wanted off the Island as much as she did. Juliet had a thing for Jack--they went as far as kissing--but Season 4 ended with her and James stranded on the Island together whilst Jack and Kate helicoptered off into the sunset (more or less).

Jack and Kate had a relationship including an engagement back on the mainland and Sawyer and Juliet shacked up together for 3 years as part of the Dharma Initiative. Now the foursome is reunited (sort of) and the push-pull-ping-ponging is warming up for Season 6, which premieres, in 8 months.

IMO, the triangle then quadrangle was one of the least interesting aspects of LOST except for maybe that time when Kate and Sawyer had sex in a cage while Jack watched them on a monitor. I really hope that we don't get stuck in the same groove but that could well be the case if my death poll turns out to be right and one of the four gets pulled out of the equation.

(in our time--months in LOSTIE time)

I have a couple of screen caps that made me go WTH? What do you think of them? What's happening?

So we have Katie, Jules and Jim. Kate and Juliet appear to be in the midst of being forced to shoot someone. Sawyer/James looks to be taking a bullet. Are one or both of the ladies shooting him?

Here it appears that Juliet is in great distress plus WTH is that smokey stuff either going into her mouth or coming out?! This one truly has me stumped.

This is (our hero) Jack, of course. He's in a fire fight and he's lugging an out-of-it Sayid. Is Sayid going to make it? How badly is he hurt?

The promos have told us that John Locke, the "leader" of the Hostiles/Others has stated that he wishes for Ben to kill the never-seen but all-powerful Jacob. Is this a scene inside Jacob's cabin? Will Ben actually go through with it when he's not ever actually seen Jacob? Do you think they are gonna make us wait until next season before we know? (No need to answer the last query.)

This is Frank Lapidis, the pilot that was supposed to have been at the helm of the crashed Flt. 815, who actually did pilot a helicopter onto and off of the Island, allowing the O6 to escape, and he is the commercial airline pilot who brought most of them back--plus some other people who also haven't been given much to do but seem to be obsessed with this big box and what "lies in the shadow of the statue." I like Frank but given how little he seems to do, do you think he's going to be collateral damage in the Season 5-ending episode?

November 11, 2008

Episode 1.10 - I Don’t Wanna Know Caught in a compromising position, Sam shares a secret with an incredulous Sookie. Thinking she’s been purged of her demon, Tara celebrates with Lettie Mae - but goes off the deep end when she uncovers Miss Jeanette’s true intentions. Sookie has a disturbing revelation during Arlene (Carrie Preston) and Rene’s (Michael Raymond James) engagement party at Merlotte’s; Jason and Amy debate what to do with Eddie; and Tara speeds into a bizarre roadside encounter that lands her in jail. At a vampire tribunal to decide his fate, Bill faces a harsh penalty for his offense, but the magister (Zelijko Ivanek) decides on a more creative sentence involving a young human named Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll).

This week's episode actually surpasses last week in the thrill and chill department with the vampire tribunal being among the most disturbing scenes thus far in True Blood (!)

'I Don’t Wanna Know' picks up where last week left off with Sookie (Anna Paquin) screaming upon discovering a nude Sam (Sam Trammell) curled up, sleeping at the foot of her bed. Sam hastens to explain that he is in fact, a "shifter" and that he means no harm. After he proves it to her by shifting to "Dean" right in front of her Sookie seems overwhelmed and shuts Sam out from any further conversation about his "issues."

Dean the dog (Sam)

Meanwhile, Bill (Stephen Moyer) is at a vampire tribunal where he is facing the consequences of having staked the thieving Longshadow to prevent him from killing Sookie.

Many vampires are gathered round anxiously awaiting Bill's punishment as rendered by the magister (Zeljko Ivanek).After another vampire has his teeth ripped out as commanded by the magister, things are looking bleak for Bill.

Bill attempts to explain to the magister the circumstances in which he staked Longshadow. Surprisingly, Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) vouches for Bill about the veracity of Bill's statements. The fact that business was involved seems to move the sadistic magister to reduce Bill's punishment from five years locked in his coffin bound in silver, to "replacing" Longshadow by siring a new vampire.

The magister pointedly refers to the fact that Bill has not yet ever sired a vampire in his entire existence as a vampire.A terrified teenage girl named 'Jessica' (Deborah Ann Woll) is brought in at the behest of the magister. Bill is commanded to sire her and he first glamours her to attempt to calm her but is admonished by the magister--no glamouring.

Meanwhile, back at Merlotte's, a engagement party for Arlene (Carrie Preston) and René (Michael Raymond-James) is in full swing. Sookie is in attendance, sitting glumly by herself at a picnic table, watching the festivities in the converted parking lot. She goes to fetch some ice from inside the bar.Within moments the lights are cut and Sookie quickly realizes that she is in mortal danger. She has a vision through the

killer's mind of his prior victims.Sookie evades the killer, whose face neither she nor we ever see and as she runs to the entrance she crashes into Sam who is on his way in (now, quite obviously not the Bon Temps killer). Sookie appears to forgive Sam for being a shifter.

While this is going on Tara (Rutina Wesley), still worried that she has a demon inside her, pays "Miss Jeanette" the $800 to be exorcised. Later, after tripping on the peyote Miss Jeanette gave her and puking her guts out because the peyote was mixed with Ipecac, Tara discovers that she was in fact, used by Miss Jeanette. She visits the party, drinks too much, and is turned away by Sam after she tries to make out with him.While drinking and driving on a lonely road Tara loses control of her car and plows through a picket fence. We briefly see the face of the actress Michelle Forbes.*** scroll down

At the engagement party, after discovering evidence of Jason's (Ryan Kwanten) involvement in vampire Eddie's disappearance, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) verbally lays into Jason, telling him that he is mortally endangering everyone with his loose lips.

Jason seems to take this to heart and listening to the advice of René on how best to get his woman in line he goes home intending to release vampire Eddie.This terrifies Amy (Lizzy Caplan), who picks up part of a broken picket fence in the basement of Jason's house and plunges it into Eddie as Jason is trying to free him...Much like Longshadow, Eddie dissolves into a pile of mush./end scene

Meanwhile back at the tribunal, Bill wrestles the shrieking Jessica and plunges his teeth into her throat, rising up and howling and then ripping again into her throat continuing his feast of blood.

***Michelle Forbes is said to be playing a Maenad [MEE-nad] a female worshipper of Dionysus, the Greek god of mystery, wine and intoxication. The word literally translates as "raving ones."

Episode 1.11 - To Love Is to BuryBill fulfills the conditions of the tribunal’s sentence, although he and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) find that Jessica doesn’t quite turn (out) as expected. Trying to solve the mystery behind her most recent vision, Sookie heads to a pie shop with Sam and later puts the squeeze on a philandering police officer to get info. Jason helps clean up Amy’s mess, worrying about their future, but unable to break away. Tara’s anger over Lettie Mae’s refusal to bail her out of jail is tempered when Maryann Forrester (Michelle Forbes), a wealthy “social worker,” comes to her rescue. Disgusted by the hypocrisy of a vamp-bashing state senator, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) decides to pay him a visit on the campaign trail. In Bill’s absence, a vulnerable Sookie finds comfort in Sam. A distraught Jason finds himself in hot water with Bud (William Sanderson) and Andy (Chris Bauer), again.